PARALYMPICS 'SNUB' ROW: Not ‘second-class event’

A spokesman for LOCOG said that the Paralympics were ‘certainly not being treated as a second-class event’.

The spokesman said that Channel 4 had not done live coverage of the event.

He said: “Paralympic Sailing took place inside Portland Harbour because of athlete and sailing requirements. “We
therefore could not use the Nothe spectator area and there were different viewing areas and vantage points.

“But there were still lots of ways to enjoy Paralympic sailing with a range activities and events at Weymouth Pavilion Forecourt. “This hosted the
Paralympic flame and ran a wide variety of cultural events and activities so there were still lots of ways to get involved.”

“It’s not fair, the Paralympics should be pushed just as much as the normal Olympics.”

Your views

Martin Burbage, from Radipole said: “I haven’t seen any sailing on TV.”

He added: “Do they think the Paralympics don’t deserve the same attention?”

Mr Burbage said he thought the Paralympics were being treated as ‘second class.’

Mark Storey, 47, a support worker from Broadmayne said: “I’m disappointed the BBC didn’t go for coverage of the Paralympics. Maybe they just didn’t want
it? They definitely haven’t got the same coverage.”

He added that the Paralympics were ‘inspirational.’

Anna Freiesleben, 17, from Weymouth said she hadn’t heard a lot about the Paralympics compared to the Olympics.

She said it made the Paralympics seem like a ‘second class’ event.

Lily Russell, 17, from Weymouth said: “I spent a lot of time watching the Olympics on the big screen.

“If they had the screens on I would have come down every day.”

She said it would be nice if the two events had been more ntegrated.

Abbie Booker, 17, from Weymouth said she was disappointed that the Paralympics haven’t been given the same attention as the Olympics.

Actually, I thought that the Paralympics was far better organised and run than the main olympics, and lessons should be learnt how to make the main olympics better organised, more accessible and less costly in future. Then we may have a legacy to be proud of.

Actually, I thought that the Paralympics was far better organised and run than the main olympics, and lessons should be learnt how to make the main olympics better organised, more accessible and less costly in future. Then we may have a legacy to be proud of.ksmain